Hearts fans were glowing in the aftermath of their latest win as the Easter weekend sunshine combined with the feelgood factor burning through at the likely survival of their club from its appalling cash crisis.

Unfortunately, someone forgot to slap the Factor 50 on Jamie Hamill’s bonce as the heat went straight to his head with a senseless and crass act of indiscipline.

The Gorgie club have carried themselves with a lot of class in recent months, recognised by County fans who donated the money to the Foundation of Hearts they had saved after players forked out to hire their supporters’ buses.

Midfielder Hamill has led from the front but for once disrespected his gracious opponents and their manager with an unnecessary touchline barge on Adams as he sprinted down the touchline in 65 minutes after slamming in the opener from the penalty spot.

Adams, who refused to comment afterwards, ended up on his rear end as mayhem ensued and Willie Collum was left with no option but to flash a second yellow at Hamill.

The nature of his dismissal will leave him free to turn out at Easter Road next weekend and the tables have been turned after the Hibees arrived at Tynecastle only three weeks ago for a relegation party.

Now it’s Butcher’s boys in freefall and although their great rivals did them a turn against County, wide boy Nicholson is adamant the benevolence stops on Sunday.

He said: “We’re going out to win against Hibs anyway but it would be a wee bit better if we brought them down with us.

“It should be a good game. We’re not thinking about trying to relegate them, only win the game and get another few points in the bag but it would be good if we brought them down, yes.

“It would be good for the club and fans if we did that.

“We’re not going out to intentionally hurt them, only win the match.

“It’s important to show we’re not worse than 15 points off at the end of the season and the victory over County shows we’re still fighting for that, especially for the fans who have backed us this season.”

Alan Rennie/SNS Group

Ann Budge watches on from the stands during Hearts match with Ross County

The Jambos belted out Queen of Hearts by Dave Edmunds over their PA system before kick-off as a nod to Ann Budge who is underwriting their survival plan.

Surprisingly, that was about as raucous as it was to get for County who put in a level of performance so tame you’d never have guessed their top-flight future was on the line.

Chances were few and far between in the first half but it was the Jambos who were much more aggressive against visitors who played with one man in attack, Jordan Slew, then did little to support his sterling efforts.

The penalty award after the interval was furiously contested by County players but Collum was on the spot to judge Graham Carey had left his leg in a fraction too long and late as Kevin McHattie burrowed into the box. Hamill’s penalty and the resulting confrontation at least served to add an injection of energy into County’s display but there was little finesse about their play in the final third.

Hearts hit them on the counter in injury time as subs Jamie Walker and Scott Robinson combined to play in Dale Carrick who poked his shot beyond Mark Brown.

Nicholson, 19, added: “It was nice to get the win after a week of good news. It has taken a lot of our players, including myself, time to improve and adapt to this level, even if it’s a little too late for this season now.

“However, it will definitely be good for us in the long run.

“A lot of us wouldn’t have been given the chance had the club not been in trouble and the Championship is going to be some league next season.

“I’m out of contract in the summer and would like to stay but we’ll see what happens when the new owner comes in.”

Locke said: “You can see the improvement in our side. They’ve grown as a team and although it’s too little too late it augurs well for the future.”

Adams added: “I’m disappointed for our fans. We did not match the enthusiasm of Hearts.”